Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, suggests, we're discussing massage services here in Thailand. Not a frequent topic, but one that will come up from time to time; it does intersect with the legal. Here we go. I thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Bangkok Post, bangkokpost.com, the article is titled: Massage Industry set for cleanup, says Health Ministry. Quoting directly: "The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) is stepping up efforts to elevate Thai massage services. Kosit Suvinijjit, Adviser to the Minister of Public Health highlighted the rising number of Health Service businesses, including wellness spas, but warned of a shortage of around 50,000 qualified Thai massage practitioners in Thailand. The need for distinction between authentic Thai massage, or “Nuad Thai”, and substandard services was further emphasized. “Nuad Thai” was officially recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2019, he said, adding that businesses using the term "Nuad Thai" must uphold the required standards. Mr. Kosit said mistakes in the past had resulted in Thai massage being mistakenly linked to massage parlours. He warned the MOPH would take legal action against those misrepresenting the service."

Okay, let's dig into that real quick though. I want to reread that: "Mr. Kosit said mistakes in the past had resulted in Thai massage being mistakenly linked to massage parlours." We've all heard the stories about the wild nightlife of Bangkok or Phuket, or Pattaya, whatever, and yes as I have discussed in many other videos, there is something called the Entertainment Practices Act of 1966 here in Thailand as well as other some similar legislation wherein in my opinion, Thailand took a very realistic view of the reality of the world, and crafted legislation in such a way that it dealt with things to allow for maximum liberty without infringing on public morality or really the public space. I've discussed this at length in many other videos. Places that are licensed under the Act, they have to adhere to certain rules, but long story short, what we are talking about there is kind of more the night life aspect of call it the massage scene if you will, okay. 

What's being pointed out here is that there is a very, very legitimate type of Thai massage, "Nuad Thai" and it is of such historical significance, that even the UN has had to say “hey this is something of note”; it's sort of like akin to being a historical heritage site, but it's not a site, it's an intangible thing if you will, this notion of Thai massage. And here in Thailand, there is a distinction between things that are going to basically be dealt with under the Entertainment Practices Act and then this stuff that falls under "Nuad Thai”, so you understand that label is a different thing. You're dealing with sort of spa and massage services; you don't need to worry about it sort of veering off into some place that makes you uncomfortable or someplace you don't necessarily want to go. You're looking for a massage; you are looking for spa services. So again this is being sort of I guess enforced, or they are looking at clearly delineating if you will the differences between these two things and noting that there will be it looks to me like - and I urge those who are watching this video, go check out that article in detail because if you sort of read between the lines or even in the explicit part of it - they clearly it looks like want to enforce that "Nuad Thai" name, that sort of brand and make sure to delineate that, the legitimate, historical, Thai massage services, with sort of other things, and they want to be clear that one thing is not the other. I can completely understand that. 

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. We will certainly keep you updated on this channel as the situation evolves.